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American Dictionary of the English Language

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Extenuate


EXTEN'UATE, verb transitive [Latin extenuo; ex and tenuo, to make thin.]

1. To make thin, lean or slender. Sickness extenuates the body.

2. To lessen; to diminish; as a crime or guilt.

But fortune there extenuates the crime.

3. To lessen in representation; to palliate; opposed to aggravate.

4. To lessen or diminish in honor. [Not used.]

5. To make thin or rare; opposed to condense. [Not used.]

EXTEN'UATE, adjective Thin; slender. [Not used.]